The ADM boys and girls’ basketball teams are back on the practice floor today after a week off to enjoy the Christmas holiday, and we heard from boys’ head coach Aaron Mager earlier this week about areas of improvement he’d like to see in his team moving forward.

The Tigers are currently on a three-game losing streak, and in the last two contests, ADM hasn’t gotten the production it was getting earlier this season from sophomore post threat Jacob Hardy.

Aside from needing his team to play less foul-prone defense and shoot better offensively, on an individual level, Coach Mager says he needs Hardy to get back to his old self, and that starts with staying on the floor.

“The schemes have been there (lately) to provide some help inside, but more than anything, he’s been fouling people and having to sit by me.  He got two fouls in the first two-and-a-half, three minutes (against Ballard), and then he sits for the rest of the first half… that’s the easiest way to neutralize a guy is to get him out of the game.”

Mager says he’ll be bringing out towels during practice the next few days to work with Hardy and the rest of his players on keeping their hands up and out more to avoid fouling.

Keeping Hardy on the floor will be crucial for ADM throughout the remainder of this season, especially to help the team remain competitive in rebounding margin.  In the Tigers’ first three games, Hardy averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds a night, but during their three-game skid, the sophomore has averaged just eight points and five rebounds per contest.